National advice network Openwork has launched a training programme for university graduates as it warned of a "bleak" jobs market for young people.
The company hopes its graduate wealth pathway scheme will attract 25 candidates by the end of November, before the course begins early next year.
The programme will be open to graduates with a 2:1 degree or higher who have some sort of experience in the workplace.
As part of an initial 12-month fixed-term contract graduate trainees will work with advisers within Openwork, with a specific focus on the latest customer relationship management system being rolled out to firms across the network.
Philip Howell, chief executive of Openwork, said: "I see this very much as a ‘win win’ for both these new graduates and Openwork.
"At a time when employment prospects for our young are looking bleak, we have a chance to give 25 young people a career pathway in our industry.
"They will have the opportunity to achieve chartered status, grounded in practical experience, supporting our partner firms and ultimately take their place in our succession plans."
The Openwork Academy has seen a record intake of trainees this year, and whilst it is open to candidates from all walks of life including school leavers, graduates and career-changers, the average age of its students is 35 years old.
The latest graduate scheme is set to focus on candidates of a younger demographic.
It follows recent research conducted by the national advice network, which found one in five adults were planning on a career change in the current socio-economic environment.
Despite the challenges of the coronavirus crisis this summer Openwork saw its network numbers exceed 4,000 advisers, with 100 firms joining during lockdown predominately in the mortgage and protection sectors.
rachel.mortimer@ft.com
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